Rescue transfer device

ABSTRACT

A device for transferring a person or object across fluid or unstable surfaces such as mud, snow, ice, water or sand, has a base member for supporting the person or object and at least one inflatable structure which forms a wall around only part of the periphery of the base member.

This invention relates to a device for transferring persons or objects across water or other fluid surfaces such as mud, snow, ice or sand.

The invention has been devised primarily for use in crisis rescues for transferring persons away from the scene of an accident or natural disaster. Such incidents may occur in, for example, rivers, seas, coastal resorts, mountains and swamps. In such locations the nature of the terrain which must be traversed in order to reach a safe location may comprise mud, sand, snow or ice. Alternatively or additionally, it may be necessary to cross water.

Devices specific to land rescue environments such as support boards, stretchers, rafts and sledges are known to be used to transfer persons away from affected areas. These devices are rigid devices and are often cumbersome, heavy and awkward to be carried by the rescuers to a desired location. In addition, the devices often only provide basic protection means for protecting a person during transit. Since these devices are often pulled over uneven terrain, transit for a person on such a device can be uncomfortable, if not dangerous. Given the rigid nature of the devices and the obstacles which may surround a person in a given location, there are problems associated in transferring an injured or able bodied person onto the rescue transfer device.

Inflatable dinghies, boats or similar vessels are used to transfer persons over water. The problem associated in rescuing persons with these vessels is the difficulty in transferring an injured or able bodied person from the land or the water into the vessel. These vessels usually comprise raised sides or hulls which must be negotiated if the injured person is to be transferred into the vessel. This can be difficult, especially if there are few rescuers.

An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer device which can be used on a variety of land surfaces such as mud, snow, ice or sand and on water.

A further object of the invention is to provide a transfer device which is more easily accessible than known devices.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a device which is lightweight and easy to carry.

According to the invention there is provided a device for transferring a person or object across fluid or unstable surfaces such as mud, snow, ice, water or sand, said device comprising a base member for supporting the person or object, and at least one inflatable structure forming a wall around only part of the periphery of the base member.

Preferably the base member comprises an inflatable member.

Preferably a portion of the base member projects beyond the at least one raised structure. More preferably said portion of the base member is not provided with said at least one raised structure.

The base member is preferably of a generally oblong form having a front end, a rear end and opposing side edges. Preferably, the side edges of the base member are tapered towards the front of the device such that the front end is narrower than the rear end. More preferably still, said portion of the base member is located at the rear of the device.

More preferably still, the raised structure forms a wall along the front end and part way along the opposing side edges of the base member.

Preferably, an inflatable bolster is attached to the said portion of the base member. More preferably the inflatable bolster has substantially the same dimensions as the said portion of the base member. Still more preferably the bolster can be stowed on top of the base member. In this position, the bolster abuts with the at least one raised structure forming a complete wall structure around the base member.

Preferably, the inflatable bolster is movable relative to the base member. In this respect the bolster may be moved from a position on top of the base member to a position adjacent to the base member to form an extension to the base member.

Preferably, the bolster is releasably attached to the base member. More preferably the bolster is provided with means for attaching a throw out line. The bolster can thus be used as a life buoy.

Preferably, the inflatable device is compactable into a suitable form for carrying.

The invention shall now be described with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention showing a bolster stowed on a base member of the device,

FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of the device according to the invention showing the bolster in an extended position,

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of the device according to the invention, and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows the inflatable device 1 having a base member 2 and wall structure 3. The base member 2 is an inflatable structure essentially oblong in form but which tapers towards the front 8 of the device 1. The base member is also angled upwardly at the front to ease transfer over obstacles and water. The wall structure 3 comprises of one or more inflatable members which are generally of a cylindrical form. The inflatable members are attached to the base member by welding or otherwise along the front edge 9 of the device and the side edges 10 of the base member 2. The wall structure 3 does not continue along the whole length of the side edges 10 but stops a distance from the rear 11 of the base member such that a portion of the base member 4 projects beyond the end of the wall structure to form a platform to assist in loading or unloading a person onto the device as will be described in more detail later.

The wall structure may comprise of one tubular member attached to the base member 2 which can be inflated and deflated as a whole. Alternatively, the wall structure 3 may consist of separate inflatable members. A rope 5 is attached to the upper surface of the wall structure 3 as a grab line means to support persons in the device when being moved and for guiding, moving or holding onto the device from outside of the device.

To the rear of the device 11 is attached an inflatable bolster 6 which is shown as being rectangular in form having substantially the same width and height dimensions as the base member portion 4. The bolster 6 may take other forms.

The bolster 6 is releasably attached to the base member 2 by means of webbing or other flexible material 12 and buckles 13 or some other means of attachment on either side of the base member. The webbing 12 may be attached to a rotatable attachment means 21 located on the portion of the base member, or platform 4.

As shown in FIG. 1 the bolster 6 can be stowed on top of the platform area at the rear of the base member 2. In this position the bolster 6 may abut with the wall structure 3 forming an enclosure around the central region, C of the base member.

FIG. 2 shows the bolster 6 in an extended position. In this position the bolster 6 forms an extension of the platform area of the base member 2. This makes the transfer of a person to and from the device easier since the person can be moved into the central area C over the rear platform without having to be moved over the wall structure 3. Further, when the device is used on water it can be manoeuvred so that the upper surface of the base member 2 is level, or substantially level with the surface of the water or land making it easier to transfer a person to and from the device. Having an extended portion or platform 4 also gives rescuers greater accessibility to assist the transfer of the person to and from the device. Once the person has been moved into the central area, the bolster 6 can moved to the stowed position so that they are fully enclosed.

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the device with the bolster 6 in both the stowed a and extended b positions. In the stowed position a, the bolster 6 abuts with the wall structure to form an enclosure around the base member 2. This hinders a person or persons from falling out of the device when in motion and provides added protection around the person or persons in the device. Grab handles 18 are provided on the wall structure 3.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view from above of the device 1 with the bolster 6 in the extended position. In this figure an attachment means 14, such as a D-ring is shown attached to the bolster 6 to which a throw line may be attached. Further grab handles 19 are attached to the bolster 6 and base member 2 to assist a person or persons transferring into or from the device. An attachment means 15 is provided at the front 8 of the device to allow a towing rope to be attached to the device. The base member 2 is inflated through a valve means 20.

The bolster 6 is releasably connected to the base member 2 by quick release buckles or some other means of attachment 13. The bolster 6 may be detached from the device 1 and used as a lifebuoy. As shown in FIG. 4 an attachment means 14, such as a D-ring is provided on the bolster 6 to enable a throwline to be secured thereto.

Since the device is inflatable it is light to carry and when deflated can be compacted into a case or valise and easily carried by one or more rescuers to the necessary location.

Once at the intended location the device maybe unpacked and inflated ready for use. The device may be inflated by a manual pump or pressurised air supply. The bolster 6 may be detached or extended to give easy access for the person being loaded onto the device. Once on the device, the bolster 6 may be folded into the stowage position to stabilise the device and protect the person within. The device may then be used with a paddle if on water, or may be towed or pulled, pushed or hauled across terrain if transfer is overland. A D-ring 15 attached to the front 8 of the device enables a tow rope to be attached to the device. Upon arrival at the destination the bolster 6 may be removed or moved to the extended position to allow the person to be unloaded from the device.

It is understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be limited by the embodiment shown in the drawings. In particular, the device may be made in a wide range of sizes to suit different uses. Moreover, the invention includes any novel and inventive feature disclosed herein either alone or in combination with any one or more other such features. 

1. A device for transferring a person or object across fluid or unstable surfaces such as mud, snow, ice, water or sand, said device comprising a base member for supporting the person or object, and at least one inflatable structure forming a wall around only part of the periphery of the base member.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base member comprises an inflatable member.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base member is of a generally oblong form having a front end, a rear end and opposing side edges.
 4. A device as claimed claim 1 wherein a portion of the base member projects beyond the at least one wall structure.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said portion of the base member is not provided with said at least one wall structure.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the side edges of the base member are tapered towards the front of the device such that the front end its narrower than the rear end.
 7. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the portion of the base member is located at the rear of the device.
 8. A device as claimed in any of claim 3 wherein the wall structure is located along the front end and part way along the opposing side edges of the base member.
 9. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein an inflatable bolster is attached to the base member.
 10. A device as claimed claim 4 wherein an inflatable bolster is attached to the portion of the base member.
 11. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the inflatable bolster has substantially the same dimensions as the portion of the base member.
 12. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the bolster can be stowed on top of the base member.
 13. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the inflatable bolster is moveable relative to the base member.
 14. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the bolster is releaseably attached to the base member.
 15. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the bolster is provided with means of attaching a throw out line. 